Haven't We Met

Emilie-Claire Barlow’s 7th vocal jazz CD the positively stylish “Haven’t We Met?” is an engaging collection of songs. Self produced in Toronto at Doane Leblanc Studios, the 13 track album which was released on March 10 2009 (via her own Empress Music Group imprint and KOCH distribution) is filled to the brim with musical conversations; some reflective, some intimate and some cheeky. Joined by a vibrant cast of Canadian musicians, the disc features Reg Schwager on guitar Ross MacIntyre on bass, Dave Restivo on piano and Davide DiRenzo on drums. What makes “Haven’t We Met?” a record of prominence is its simple beauty. Songs of lust and longing sit side by side songs rushing with pure exhilarated joie de vivre. It’s a collection that snapshots spontaneous dreamers who yearn to fall desperately in love. Emilie-Claire’s dexterity in her pitch perfect rollercoaster vocalese is at its height, surely inspired by an unlocked stream of consciousness that is almost apologetic in its truth. There is a rare directness here enhanced by the superb clarity and warmth in Emilie-Claire’s joyful confident singing and her imaginative arrangements that respect and celebrate the songs and showcase marvelous musicians.

Emilie-Claire Barlow was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards in 2008 for her work on her sixth album, The Very Thought Of You. The album, which critics commented was a work which saw the singer come into her own, was also nominated for a Juno Award. Her performance of Alex Kramer’s “There Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens “ at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala was also nominated for a Gemini Award in the same year.